Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen on Friday hosted the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Kenya Representative Caroline Van Buren.
Murkomen in a statement through X said the two discussed the progress of joint programmes between Kenya and UNHCR.
They include the enhancement of security in the refugee camps and host communities and the development of a refugee database.
They also discussed the recognition of stateless people and the upcoming rollout of the Shirika Plan.
The Shirika Plan is a government programme that will strengthen the socio-economic inclusion of refugees and host communities.
"The UN Refugee Agency Kenya representative Caroline Van Buren briefed me on the state of our country's partnership with the organisation," Murkomen said.
"Kenya has for decades been a haven of refuge for people fleeing conflict in the Eastern Africa region owing to our political stability and peace," he noted.
Last year, UNHCR applauded Kenya as it continues to make significant strides towards addressing statelessness.
The Kenyan government is taking steps to ensure every individual has a recognised nationality in alignment with international and regional treaties.
Among the major achievements of the year was the African Union's adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights relating to the right to a nationality and the eradication of statelessness.
The landmark protocol sets critical standards, including mechanisms to prevent generational statelessness and protect nomadic populations.
The development reflects a new era of rights protection across the continent.
However, the protocol requires ratification by 15 African Union member states to come into force, with Kenya expected to play a role in its regional adoption.
Domestically, Kenya has made commendable progress in policy reforms.
The UNHCR has collaborated with Kenya’s parliamentary counsel to propose amendments to the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act.
The amendments aim to address the legal challenges stateless individuals face, providing them with a clear path to recognition under Kenyan law.
